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Type 1: Memory/Forgetfulness

LauraR88

LauraR88

Well-Known Member
Messages
46
Type of diabetes
Type 1
I have gradual noticed over the last 6 months to a year that I seem to have a problem retain information.
I have never struggled as much as I have recently, I could walk into a new job over the last 10 years and pick up the processes in no time.

However I have been working for one of the 3 emergency services for the last 7 months and I seem to have been really slow at picking up there processes and forgetting silly little things, whilst these things are not life threatening they are still important information. I have tried doing mind maps, post it notes etc to help me remember things but so far I seem to be getting myself into more trouble as work, so much so my superior said to me the other day that whilst she takes my "disability" into consideration I need to think if this is the job for me (she knows this is all I've ever wanted to do for a career)!! I am now just about to go into a meeting with them re these issues.

I am wondering does diabetes cause memory issues? Is there anything I can be doing to help improve this?
 
Hi Laura,

I have developed a lot of issues with memory, concentration, and mood over time. For me the absolute worst thing is prolonged overnight lows. I am not sure whether my brain is starved of sugar or if it's just a hormonal problem but it makes life impossible. Life would be basically impossible without my CGM.

If you don't generally test in the middle of the night, set some alarms at random times on different nights and do it. Or you can try a Libre.

Highs can also impair brain function in various ways. What's your control like?

Finally... one of the common symptoms of depression is trouble with memory (and/or concentration). Depression is not a simple illness; you can have many of the symptoms without feeling depressed. Remember that depression can be caused by hormonal problems (which diabetes creates!) and chronic inflammation (like an autoimmune condition), not just your environment and attitude, so there's really no shame in it. Studies have shown that taking antidepressants can improve memory in people with depression.


I take a nootropic (brain-boosting) supplement called Mind Lab Pro as well as Omega-3 supplements. The Mind Lab Pro definitely has a positive effect on my mind, and I have recommended it to some friends who also noticed an improvement.

Also check out BrainHQ, where you can give your brain some exercise and keep an eye on your performance.
 
Hi Laura

This rings a bell with me also. I thought it was being over 50 but have started to think it's diabetes related (or maybe statins). Hmmm
 
Same here but not with work stuff as I've been doing it that so long I can do it in my sleep, however as an example after work I put things down at home while i'm doing something and a minute later I'm thinking where is that? And I don't think this has happened before. Scary but this is only recently i've noticed stuff like this is more frequent and I'm thinking is it because BG is high?
 
Johnjoe13 said:
Same here but not with work stuff as I've been doing it that so long I can do it in my sleep, however as an example after work I put things down at home while i'm doing something and a minute later I'm thinking where is that? And I don't think this has happened before. Scary but this is only recently i've noticed stuff like this is more frequent and I'm thinking is it because BG is high?
Click to expand...

Update to this, i've just googled this and metformin which i've been on for almost three months now came up, and an Australian research links to impaired thinking so this could be the cause for me anyway? Need to see the nurse as they suggest B12 supplements can help, obviously get medical advice first but that goes someway to putting my mind at ease that it's a possible cause and nothing else
 
just before Christmas when I'd been taking Metformin and Atorvastatin for only a few weeks I could not learn a new song I wanted to do at the folk club. Then I lost the car in Tesco car park, and when I found it by walking up and down the lines, there was all the shopping for Christmas in the back of it already. The frozen stuff had defrosted, but most of it was still OK - but it was an awful shock. I stopped taking the pills.
 
Resurgam said:
just before Christmas when I'd been taking Metformin and Atorvastatin for only a few weeks I could not learn a new song I wanted to do at the folk club. Then I lost the car in Tesco car park, and when I found it by walking up and down the lines, there was all the shopping for Christmas in the back of it already. The frozen stuff had defrosted, but most of it was still OK - but it was an awful shock. I stopped taking the pills.
Click to expand...

OMG I take Atorvastatin too, deffo going to mention this at my check up
 
Sorry I forgot to mention, I do suffer depression as well and I am currently on 175mg of venlafaxine and have done for some time now. But work seems to think there should be a reason to my depression/anxiety and are almost making me feel bad for not finding out what it is and pushing me to see a psychologist etc. But I know how my body works and I know there isn't always a reason!

I can be doing something like washing a cup and think right once I've done this I'm going to look at my emails..... yet when I sit down two mins later I can't remember for the life of me what it I was suppose to be doing.

It's getting so frustrating as it's like work think I am being lazy! But I can while heartedly say I'm not!
 
Are your blood sugars well controlled when you get these I cant remember what I sat down for moments?

I'm not sure it's diabetes related - it sounds like it's more of a not enough room in your head kinda thing. Maybe you could try a bit of yoga/meditation to clear your mind. It is hard to take on new info if you haven't done that kind of learning for a while - you could try a brain training app or something to improve memory just to stretch those muscles in your brain.
 
My blood sugars can be within range at the time of these "episodes" as I call them, however that's not to say I've always had good control because I haven't.

I am constantly learning knew things, so it's not like I haven't done it in a while, it just seems to be recently that information is just not sticking
 
LauraR88 said:
I can be doing something like washing a cup and think right once I've done this I'm going to look at my emails..... yet when I sit down two mins later I can't remember for the life of me what it I was suppose to be doing.
Click to expand...

Hi @LauraR88 , in Psychology they call this The Doorway Effect, it's not unique to people with diabetes by any means:

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-walking-through-doorway-makes-you-forget/

In answer to your question I'm not sure of the answer, if your new job is more stressful than other jobs you've done before then that won't help matters and might explain why your more forgetful now.
 
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